How does an athlete make a fashion statement when a uniform is required? Get injured of course! Protective injury gear is becoming more popular in professional sports these days and athletes are taking the opportunity to make a fashion statement (and endorsement deals). So who wore theirs the best?

A skull paper mache` cast or padded cap? Alex Torres decided the latter was not only a fashion statement but a necessity. This weekend he became the first pitcher to wear a protective cap after former teammate, Tampa Bay Rays’ Pitcher Alex Cobb was struck in the head by a line drive.

4. Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant

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In 2012 Kobe Bryant suffered a nasal fracture after a hard foul by Dwayne Wade. The Black Mamba came like Batman scoring 22 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists against the Pistons wearing his Nike Kobe 7 Black Mask. Even Kyrie Irving and Lebron James imitated the super hero facade but just looked like villains.

3. Atlanta Braves’ Jason Heyward

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Heyward was back on the field one month after having two plates inserted into his jaw due to a fracture caused by a pitch from Mets’ Jon Niese. By the looks of his helmet, he is one of the few who cares more about his injury than the fashion statement. “Hey J, do you want a custom helmet sent from thousands of miles away?” “Nah, I just glued on a piece of plastic to my helmet I’m good.”

2. Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney

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Shortly after suffering from a head wound caused by collision in training the Brit dressed up his uniform by sporting a matching head accessory all while laughing in the face of danger and goalies.

1. Philadelphia 76ers’ Allen Iverson

(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

The only person who could make a cut up panty hose look fashionable is Allen Iverson. He started wearing a “stockinette” due to swelling and the rest is history.